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Tourists walk along boardwalks surrounding the vibrant, multicolored Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park.
Montana/Wyoming

Inspired Images: Photographing the Wonders of Yellowstone

Program No. 17947RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
4 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with both an instructor who is a professional photographer and expert naturalist who will give lectures and lead field trips and a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. Only “over snow vehicles” are allowed in Yellowstone National Park during the winter months. We will travel in the park via heated snow coaches — specialized van-type vehicles that travel over snow and ice that move at slow speeds (25 mph) through the park. Expect a lot of time in the snow coaches with commentary from our instructor along the way and stops to take in the winter landscapes and wildlife that may be present. Our time in the park will be mostly between 6,500-8,000 feet. Please bring binoculars if you have them and refer to the packing list for any other particulars. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Our instructor-photographer will give us an introduction to Yellowstone in winter. We’ll also learn about the rhythm of Yellowstone’s changing seasons. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking several blocks; snow-packed, possibly slippery sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At a local restaurant.
Morning:
We will gather with our instructor for a presentation on photography fundamentals. We’ll discuss composition, lighting, proper exposure, sharpness, lens choices, and much more.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We will set out on a walking field trip to explore the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, a wildlife park and educational facility in West Yellowstone that enables visitors to experience the world of grizzly bears and gray wolves. The animals here are unable to survive in the wild and serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a snowcoach; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 5-6 hours riding time depending on snow and weather conditions. Walking approximately 1-2 miles; snow-packed, slippery trails, boardwalks, some stairs. Elevations from 6,666 to 7,734 feet. Wear warm clothing, sturdy winter boots.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll hop aboard snow coaches for a field trip into Yellowstone’s winter wonderland. Our photographer-naturalist will provide ongoing commentary and support for hands-on aspects of field photography, all the while interpreting the park’s natural history. We will make exploratory picture-taking stops on our way to the Old Faithful area. We’ll also have a rare glimpse into Yellowstone’s quiet season as we encounter snow covered expanses of unspoiled nature and wildlife while riding in and out of the park. The snow covered landscape, frozen waterfalls, and frosted trees will contrast with steaming geysers and other geothermal features creating a surreal winterscape and providing an amazing backdrop for the camera lens.
Lunch:
In the park, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Our field trip will continue with ongoing interpretation of the park’s unique natural features and wildlife on our way to Old Faithful. Our photographer-instructor will provide expert direction on picture-taking fundamentals, composition, lighting, proper exposure, lens choices, etc. <br< Afternoon return to West Yellowstone.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We’ll gather with our instructor to explore the “digital darkroom.”
Activity Note
Getting in/out of snowcoaches; driving about 85 miles throughout the day, approximately 4-5 hours riding time depending on snow and weather conditions. Walking up to 1 mile; icy snow-packed trails, asphalt paths, boardwalks, stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will encounter more of the unique features of Yellowstone National Park on our way to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The park receives close to 3 million visitors each year, yet only a small fraction of those who glimpse the park’s stunning vistas, geological wonders, and resident animals do so during the serenity of the winter months. We’ll have multiple photographic opportunities at our fingertips as we capture images of this amazing winter wonderland.
Lunch:
In the field, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Yellowstone National Park has an estimated 10,000 thermal features and the highest concentration of active geysers in the world. Picture-taking opportunities are boundless as we explore the Old Faithful area and the geothermal features that make this place unique including the geyser itself. We’ll return to West Yellowstone in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Take this opportunity to work on your images or relax.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of snowcoaches; driving about 60 miles throughout the day, approximately 3-4 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile; icy snow-packed trails, asphalt paths, boardwalks, stairs.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We’ll board snow coaches and ride through the amazing snow covered landscape. We’ll continue capturing once-in-a-lifetime photographs of surreal vistas that define Yellowstone National Park in winter. We'll head north towards Norris geyser basin.
Lunch:
In the field, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Our field trip will continue with expert commentary and stops for photographs. We’ll then ride on to West Yellowstone and prepare for our finale dinner and week in review.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll gather for a slide show of our photos with constructive comments by our instructor.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. Arrangements for shuttle services should be made independently. This is not included in the program price; advanced reservations are required.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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